TUSSLE INTENSIFIES: TWITTER, GOVT AT ODDS OVER BLOCKING
88 signals in Lko not working due to nonpayment of power bills while some have come up at intervals of 100m, creating a traffic mess
NEW DELHI: Twitter on Wednesday said that it complied partially with the government’s requests to block access to accounts, but let others — particularly those by journalists, activists and politics — remain since the directions were “not consistent with Indian law”, prompting the government to express “disappointment” during a meeting with top executives of the social media company later in the day.
Twitter’s blog, which gave details of its actions, said: “...we do not believe that the actions we have been directed to take are consistent with Indian law.” And, it added, “in keeping with
LUCKNOW: Around 88 traffic signals in Lucknow are not working due to non-payment of electricity bills by Smart City Limited while some are creating a mess instead of streamlining traffic in various parts of the city.
Traffic experts feel that traffic signals have come up at several places where they are not even required and hence instead of streamlining traffic they are becoming ‘traffic stoppers’.
“Some of the traffic signals have come up at intervals of 100 metres, which disturbs the flow of traffic. Rules must be followed for setting up signals at freeways and arterial ways,” said SK Jain, former city engineer, LMC. He said, “Ideal distances mentioned by the Indian Road Congress are not followed by the authorities as some of the traffic signals set up near Gulistan colony trisection, Somnath Dwar are turning out to be traffic blockers.”
If the signals are placed too close to each other, then too, a traffic mess is created, added Jain.
He said, “The primary consideration is of visibility. Drivers approaching signalised intersections or other signalised areas should be given a clear and unmistakable indication of their right-of-way assignment. But at several places, this is not the case, especially in front of Gulistan Colony. Anyone coming out of the colony cannot see the signal. Similarly, the geometry of each intersection must be signalised in such a way that it should guarantee smooth flow of traffic.”
SC Singh, general manager, Smart City Limited, said: “It’s true that 88 traffic signals are not working as their power supply is snapped. We have realised that pre-paid smart meters are not suitable for traffic signals. The connection is snapped as soon as the recharge amount in the smart metre expires. Sometimes, traffic signals stop working abruptly, even in peak hours. Sudden disturbance in signals can also cause accidents.”
He added, “As many as 115 smart meters have been installed all over the city at traffic signal points and they all are consuming electricity of around Rs 1,000 per day.
We are not getting any details of electricity consumption from LESA, that’s why we have asked them to take away prepaid metres and install post-paid ones. At some places, we have received complaints of traffic signals getting hidden by some objects and those placed too close to each other.”
Madhukar Varma, chief engineer, LESA (cis-Gomti), said: “It’s strange that Smart City Limited doesn’t want smart meters. I think these meters are absolutely fine and can be crosschecked by any agency. A smart city like Lucknow should welcome the use of technology like smart meters.”
Some of the traffic signals have come up at intervals of 100 metres, which disturbs the flow of traffic. SK JAIN, former city engineer, LMC